Lake DeForest Fence: Barbed Wire Coming Down, SUEZ and Clarkstown will Deal with Trash, Trespassing

CLARKSTOWN, NY — When SUEZ began to fence in Lake DeForest, its reservoir in Clarkstown that serves both Rockland County and northern New Jersey, angry neighbors discovered their access to nature was being cut off by barbed wire.

Furious, they began a lobbying effort and even mounted an online petition drive.

"Not only will such an unnecessary and unsightly structure ruin the visible natural beauty of this lake but it will most likely destroy the natural ecosystem that depends on unfettered access to the lake and surrounding wooded areas to survive," wrote petition creator Alan K.

Bowing to months of pressure, officials from SUEZ and the Town of Clarkstown announced plans Tuesday to suspend the fencing in of Lake DeForest and start a collaborative pilot program designed to address security, littering and trespassing concerns (some of which are temporary and others of a more permanent nature).

The gist of the plan: increasing fines and police patrols; establishing a telephone hotline for residents to report incidents; and talking to property owners who have encroached on the reservoir's land.

Chris Graziano, SUEZ Vice President and General Manager, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski have been working together since January to reconcile community concerns and protect Lake DeForest, company officials said.

The problem is that people have not been respecting the reservoir, a major drinking water supply for about 300,000 people in Rockland County. And that is a problem, given their need for clean water and Rockland's perennial water shortage issues.

The New York Public Service Commission has given Rockland County communities and SUEZ 10 years to aggressively pursue water conservation measures and make plans for meeting service area needs for the mid- and long-term.

The wide range of issues facing the lake include littering, dumping, and trespassing — including the unauthorized use of ATVs and the neighbors who are using a bit of reservoir property.

Under the plan, SUEZ will suspend the construction of fencing around Lake DeForest and identify all instances where Lake DeForest property is being encroached upon by adjacent homeowners. SUEZ will then meet with individual homeowners to work towards correcting the encroachment onto SUEZ property.

Fencing that has been constructed along Strawtown Road will have barbed-wire removed and be painted to blend into the setting of the surrounding area. The successful completion of the pilot program would eliminate the need for additional fencing.

“We’ve worked closely with Supervisor Hoehmann and Assemblyman Zebrowski to craft an unique pilot program that has the potential to solve all of the current issues,” said Graziano. “SUEZ is committed to maintaining the security at our public water supply at Lake DeForest while also striving to preserve the scenic beauty of the property and community.”

Hoehmann has directed the Town Attorney to draft legislation that will increase the protection of the watershed and increase fines for several violations. The fines will dramatically increase penalties for trespassing, dumping and littering around Lake DeForest.

“Today’s agreement balances the needs of Clarkstown residents with protecting one of our most important resources,” said Hoehmann. “I’m proud to have brought the concerns of our residents to the forefront and, working with Assemblyman Zebrowski and SUEZ, to safeguard the character of Clarkstown.”

In addition, police patrols will be increased and a hotline established to report suspicious incidents.

“The Lake DeForest corridor is important to both the environment and the aesthetic character of Clarkstown,” said Zebrowski. “A fence would have changed the face of this waterway forever. This agreement will protect the beauty of the area while enhancing the safety of the lake. I thank Supervisor Hoehmann and SUEZ for their collaboration on this important issue.”

SUEZ serves about 500,000 people in Rockland, Westchester, Orange and Tioga counties.

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